Cat Armato was photographed in Hayes Valley’s Octavia Street, walking around the city with friends visiting from Japan.

Cat Armato was photographed in Hayes Valley’s Octavia Street, walking around the city with friends visiting from Japan.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 2 of 10

These Bradley sunglasses are from Free People, one of her favorite web shops, and her earrings were a gift from her dad.

These Bradley sunglasses are from Free People, one of her favorite web shops, and her earrings were a gift from her dad.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 3 of 10

Google's Cat Armato describes her style as simple and edgy, with a preference for black and gray.

Google's Cat Armato describes her style as simple and edgy, with a preference for black and gray.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 4 of 10

The ring is Valou 3cap, from Valou. "In 2009, I studied abroad in Sydney and one of the girls I met modeled for this jewelry designer and turned me on to her pieces." In addition to sourcing items while traveling, she finds much of her favorite pieces online at places like Asos, Nasty Gal and Free People. less

The ring is Valou 3cap, from Valou. "In 2009, I studied abroad in Sydney and one of the girls I met modeled for this jewelry designer and turned me on to her pieces." In addition to sourcing items while ... more

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 5 of 10

Image 6 of 10

This white jacket is Wilfred Montesson, from Aritzia.

This white jacket is Wilfred Montesson, from Aritzia.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 7 of 10

She wears these American Apparel leggings often, because they are comfortable and travel well. This tank is also from Aritzia.

She wears these American Apparel leggings often, because they are comfortable and travel well. This tank is also from Aritzia.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 8 of 10

This extra shirt is from a shop in Korea. "I like to throw it on to add an extra layer when it gets cooler."

This extra shirt is from a shop in Korea. "I like to throw it on to add an extra layer when it gets cooler."

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 9 of 10

Boots from Free People. “I must have walked thousands of miles in these. They’ve gone everywhere with me. I wore them every single day for two months while I was working and traveling in Asia."

Boots from Free People. “I must have walked thousands of miles in these. They’ve gone everywhere with me. I wore them every single day for two months while I was working and traveling in Asia."

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 10 of 10

Street Style: Simple basics make a big impact

1 / 10

Back to Gallery

An engineering programs coordinator at Google, Cat Armato moved to San Francisco from New York City two and a half years ago. After spending time in Asia and Sydney, she now calls the Mission District home.

On this day, she was photographed on Hayes Valley’s Octavia Street, walking around the city with friends visiting from Japan. “We spent the whole day walking around, so I chose stuff that was comfortable and layered in case it got cold as the day went on,” Armato says.

Characteristically, she was wearing structural neutrals and boots that she says she wears all the time. She describes her style as simple and edgy with a preference for neutrals. This comes in handy as she often travels for work and likes to pack light.

“I don’t feel like I can really pull of patterns and crazy colors,” she says, “so I wear a lot of blacks and grays — but I do have a random assortment of really bold and ‘out-there’ items.” In addition to sourcing items while traveling, she finds much of her favorite pieces online at places like Asos, Nasty Gal and Free People; this is partly because it’s easier to find her size.

Here’s more about Cat Armato’s #SFStyle:

Sunglasses: Bradley Sunglasses, from Free People.

Necklace: Got in New Zealand. “It looks like a balloon and on the back, it’s engraved ‘many happy endings,’ which kind of resonated with me and some choices I was faced with at the time I bought it.”

Earrings: Kohl’s, a gift from her dad. “They have a lot of sentimental value.”

Jacket: Wilfred Montesson, from Aritzia. “I wanted to switch it up with this jacket in a light color. I love it because it fits! It’s really hard to find jackets that do.”

Tank: Wilfred Free, from Aritzia. “I like it because it’s super comfortable and versatile.”

Shirt: From a shop in Korea. “I like to throw it on to add an extra layer when it gets cooler.”

Ring: Valou 3cap, from Valou (a two-fingered ring with silver circles). “In 2009, I studied abroad in Sydney and one of the girls I met modeled for this jewelry designer and turned me on to her pieces. I have a couple of her rings, including one where she let me customize the stones I wanted in the caps.”

Leggings: American Apparel. “I wear these a lot. They’re really comfortable and easy to dress down and up, plus they fold down really small.”

Shoes: Collins Boot, from Free People. “I must have walked thousands of miles in these. They’ve gone everywhere with me. I wore them every single day for two months while I was working and traveling in Asia. They’re kind of falling apart, but I still wear them all the time.”

More street style: Check out San Francisco’s sunglasses style, seen in last week’s Street Style Friday, below:

Chaz is sporting Ray-Ban “Arctic CATS.” These “super rare” glasses were a gift from a good friend. ($325)

Chaz is sporting Ray-Ban “Arctic CATS.” These “super rare” glasses were a gift from a good friend. ($325)

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 2 of 29

Ana bought these specs in at a street fair in Fair Oaks two years ago for about $12.

Ana bought these specs in at a street fair in Fair Oaks two years ago for about $12.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 3 of 29

Adi is wearing Cazal “623” frames with transition lenses. It’s a style said to be preferred by entertainers like D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., Spike Lee, Rick Ross and Sammy Davis Jr. ($350, eBay)

Adi is wearing Cazal “623” frames with transition lenses. It’s a style said to be preferred by entertainers like D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., Spike Lee, Rick Ross and Sammy Davis Jr. ($350, eBay)

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 4 of 29

Agustin bought these Rusty sunglasses in Argentina for about $100. He notes that "they look as if they are wood, but they are not."

Agustin bought these Rusty sunglasses in Argentina for about $100. He notes that "they look as if they are wood, but they are not."

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 5 of 29

Image 6 of 29

Ani got these frames in Italy for about 10 Euro. "They are stylish; [it] doesn't matter if they're expensive," she says.

Ani got these frames in Italy for about 10 Euro. "They are stylish; [it] doesn't matter if they're expensive," she says.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 7 of 29

Ankeet got these unconventional frames from “some shop on Haight Street.” They were the “free” ones as part of a buy-2-get-1 free deal. The other two pairs were $10 each.

Ankeet got these unconventional frames from “some shop on Haight Street.” They were the “free” ones as part of a buy-2-get-1 free deal. The other two pairs were $10 each.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 8 of 29

Axelle bought these Ray-Ban Aviators a few weeks ago at a Sunglass Hut on Union Street. The green “flash” lenses are one of an assortment of colored reflective lenses available for this style. The “P” on the lens stands for “Polarized” lenses, which use the electromagnetic characteristics of reflected light to reduce glare. ($230) less

Axelle bought these Ray-Ban Aviators a few weeks ago at a Sunglass Hut on Union Street. The green “flash” lenses are one of an assortment of colored reflective lenses available for this style. The “P” ... more

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 9 of 29

Brad bought these no-name shades at the beach. ($8)

Brad bought these no-name shades at the beach. ($8)

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 10 of 29

Image 11 of 29

Emily-Joy and Alvaro, or "Emi and Alvi," bought these 1970s vintage styles at the Rietta Flea Market in Hubbardston, Mass. There were eight pairs of this style and they bought all of them at $1 each.

Emily-Joy and Alvaro, or "Emi and Alvi," bought these 1970s vintage styles at the Rietta Flea Market in Hubbardston, Mass. There were eight pairs of this style and they bought all of them at $1 each.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 12 of 29

Eric found these Ray-Ban Clubmasters at SXSW. These ubiquitous frames are only rivaled in popularity by the Ray-Ban Aviators, often spotted this season with, blue, green or orange “flash” mirrored lenses. ($150) less

Eric found these Ray-Ban Clubmasters at SXSW. These ubiquitous frames are only rivaled in popularity by the Ray-Ban Aviators, often spotted this season with, blue, green or orange “flash” mirrored lenses. ... more

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 13 of 29

Eujin is rocking Armani sunglasses that he bought at Bloomingdale's, but is quick to point out that they’re also available on eBay. (about $150)

Eujin is rocking Armani sunglasses that he bought at Bloomingdale's, but is quick to point out that they’re also available on eBay. (about $150)

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 14 of 29

Fitch is wearing a pair of Costalots Diego frames, made by Matt Costa in Oakland. (shop.costalots.com)

Fitch is wearing a pair of Costalots Diego frames, made by Matt Costa in Oakland. (shop.costalots.com)

Jessica bought these frames in England about a year ago for about 10 Euro.

Jessica bought these frames in England about a year ago for about 10 Euro.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 18 of 29

Jessica bought these frames in England about a year ago for about 10 Euro.

Jessica bought these frames in England about a year ago for about 10 Euro.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 19 of 29

Katie in a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, her second pair. These were a gift after her first pair was stolen while on vacation in Costa Rica.

Katie in a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, her second pair. These were a gift after her first pair was stolen while on vacation in Costa Rica.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 20 of 29

Image 21 of 29

Katie in a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, her second pair. These were a gift after her first pair was stolen while on vacation in Costa Rica.

Katie in a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, her second pair. These were a gift after her first pair was stolen while on vacation in Costa Rica.

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 22 of 29

Mary is wearing a pair of Illesteva Leonard frames that she got at Industrie Denim in San Francisco on the corner of Grant and Sutter. ($190, illestreva.com)

Mary is wearing a pair of Illesteva Leonard frames that she got at Industrie Denim in San Francisco on the corner of Grant and Sutter. ($190, illestreva.com)

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 23 of 29

Randy is wearing Ray-Ban Ashburys that he purchased on eBay to replace a similar pair that was lost. ($200-$300, eBay)

Randy is wearing Ray-Ban Ashburys that he purchased on eBay to replace a similar pair that was lost. ($200-$300, eBay)

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 24 of 29

Sam has been rocking these prescription Oakley X Metal Juliets since 1999. He recalls that they were "a bit on the pricey side, in [British] pounds anyway." He remarked on their fantastic durability before admitting that a new prescription might be in order. (Similar styles on eBay for $300-$600) less

Sam has been rocking these prescription Oakley X Metal Juliets since 1999. He recalls that they were "a bit on the pricey side, in [British] pounds anyway." He remarked on their fantastic durability before ... more

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 25 of 29

Image 26 of 29

Samantha found these classic aviators “sitting on the counter at home.”

Samantha found these classic aviators “sitting on the counter at home.”

Photo: William C Rittenhouse

Image 27 of 29

Susie bought these shades at “a random little shop in Oregon” for, as she recalls, about $20.

Susie bought these shades at “a random little shop in Oregon” for, as she recalls, about $20.